Evening all,
I would like some suggestion on how you would address this Germanic sporting gun.
Thing is, to me it is crying to go back to flint, and Yes, I know in some circles converting back is a no -no!
Reason for this, is the bolster is brazed on, ..with a bit of help from what looks like an electric weld glob....and that hammer, ... only its mother could love!
When I first saw this piece, I was pretty sure it had been cut down to half stock, But I have since seen others with identical for-ends, with double ramrod pipes, horn nose cap and the sling swivel. One belonged to a Danish king and is in the Tojmuseet in Copenhagen.
No name on the lock.
I though by the stocking up, Suhl, but after a bit of cleaning, I see ZEL under the barrel. Zel is for Zella, and not far from Suhl, and was a well known barrel -making centre. It came from an auction in London, and may have been a war-time bring-back.
Odd thing about the barrel, is that this ZEL mark according to Stockel, is for mid 17th century, yet this piece appears to my eyes to belong in the last quarter of the 18th C.
Nothing new in re-using an older barrel though.
The stocking up looks somewhat odd, yet it fits the shoulder very nicely. It is not a best by a long shot, but for some reason I really like it.
About 20 bore with a 35" barrel. The walls thick enough to be a ball as well as shot gun.
Any thought on best way to go will be appreciated. I do have my own ideas, but would like to hear yours!
Richard.
I was not sure where to place this , as it's not just collecting, more renovating.... If I got it in the wrong place, please move.
Thank you.
R.